This bill would expand the definition of criminal profiteering activity established by the California Control of Profits of Organized Crime Act to include a crime where the perpetrator “induces, encourages, or persuades a person under 18 years of age to engage in a commercial sex act.” The bill will make it easier for prosecutors to target those who traffic children for commercial sexual exploitation.

Landmark piece of legislation that will prohibit companies that have failed to comply with disclosure requirements under the Securities Exchange Act for conflict minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo from bidding on California state contracts for goods or services. Such workers are often subjected to labor trafficking.

Human trafficking is a brutal crime that lurks in the shadows and thrives on secrecy and isolation of victims. Victims of human trafficking face horrific lives in which they are threatened, beaten, raped, starved, imprisoned or psychologically manipulated - all for the financial profit of human traffickers. This crime is far more common in California than you may think. Removing the requirement of having to prove force, fraud, or coercion in trafficking cases with minor victims is crucial to successfully prosecute more child traffickers in California.

I am emailing to urge you to sign the important human trafficking legislation: Assembly Bill 90 and Senate Bill 861. The crime is more common in California than most people realize which is why I am urging you to take action.

These important bills will clamp down on the brutal crime of human trafficking of minors and prohibit companies that have failed to comply with disclosure requirements for conflict minerals from bidding on California state contracts for goods or services. A breakdown of each bill is provided below for your reference.

AB90 - Removal of Force, Fraud, or Coercion

This bill would remove the requirement of force, fraud, or coercion when minors are trafficked, making it easier for prosecutors to target those who traffic children for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.

SB 861 - Conflict Minerals

Landmark piece of legislation that will prohibit companies that have failed to comply with disclosure requirements under the Securities Exchange Act for conflict minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo from bidding on California state contracts for goods or services. Such workers are often subjected to labor trafficking.